Insect fauna associated with Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) in Parakou, A cotton-growing area of central Benin
Paper Details
Insect fauna associated with Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) in Parakou, A cotton-growing area of central Benin
Abstract
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop in Benin. However, several biotic factors, particularly insects, impede its production. This study aimed to evaluate the entomofaunistic diversity associated with cucumber crops. Insects were collected using moericke and pitfall traps along with a sweep net. Samplings were performed from May to July 2025 in three vegetable gardens. In total, 9 orders, 53 families, and 94 species were recorded. Among them, the cucumber thrips Thrips tabaci (6.6%), the leaf miners Liriomyza trifolii (2%), the pumpkin beetles Aulacophora Africana (1.9%) and Aulacophora sp. (1.3%), the leafhopper Empoasca sp. (1.7%), the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (1.2%), the corn flea beetle Chaetocnema pulicaria (1.1%), the Pumpkin leaf caterpillar Diphania indica (1%), the cucumber fly Dacus ciliatus (0.9%), the melon fruit flies Bactrocera cucurbitae (0.6%), Bactrocera sp. (0.9%) and Bactrocera dorsalis (0.3%), the grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (0.8%), the ground hopper Tetrix sp. (0.6%), the field cricket Gryllus sp. (0.3%), the Hadda beetle Henosepilachna sp. (0.3%), the rice stinkbug Cletus sp. (0.3%), the lagriid beetle Lagria villosa (0.2%) and Lagria sp. (0.2%), the cotton stainer Dysdercus wolkerii (0.1%) appeared as the most important insect pest species attacking cucumber as reported by previous studies. These pests encountered beneficial insects including natural enemies (predator and parasitoid) and pollinators. However, pest species were more abundant than beneficial insects, regardless of the cucumber’s developmental stages. The findings of this study represent an essential reference point for the design and implementation of agroecological strategies for cucumber protection in Benin.
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